Frequently Asked Questions

Many people have questions about
solar. While this web site is not designed to answer all questions,
SESCI distributes information about solar energy through annual events
such as the scientific conference, general public workshops, newsletters
and activities through SESCI chapters.

Below are some of the most common questions we get asked.

[ Question] Who offers courses in Renewable Energy in Canada?

[Answer] While this is not a complete list, check http://renewablerecruits.com/re-training-resources/#CurrentPrograms. Also, a growing number of universities are now incorporating solar and renewable energies in their programs. Check the Solar Buildings Reserach Network

[ Question] Where can I find a solar installers for my area in Canada?

The best place is probably the directory of industry associations such as CanSIA (www.cansia.ca/directory) or other Renewable Energy. professional associations. Members of professional associations are often not only the biggest and more established, but they also typically have to abide by the industry code of ethics to remain members. But of course, you can always search the other directories such as Yellow Pages online.

[Question] Are there model homes in Canada that use renewable energy?

[Answer] Not enough, but there are some. There are some project designed to showcase examplar homes such as Net Zero Houses and Equilibrium homes. Here is a group of FAQs from the Net Zero house that is being built in Edmonton. You can learn about the project at http://www.riverdalenetzero.ca/

[Questions] Is solar energy viable in Canada?

[Answer] Different solar technologies can yield different types of viability. Seasonal solar pool heating can provide one of the highest Return On Investment (ROI), close to 50% , sometimes more. Solar Air Heating can often provide an ROI above 25%. Passive solar may have an immediate payback and save up to 30% in energy if it is part of the design, and this can be done at very low to no extra cost (house may be a few percentage points more expensive compared to non-passive). Solar
water heating can provide an ROI in the 10 to 15% range in most parts of Canada. With Solar Photovoltaics (PV), viability depends a lot. With off-grid situations, the economics of PV can make total sense without any incentives, especially in remote locations or when it would
otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars to extend the grid. With grid connected situations, it depends on feed-in tariffs or other schemes to sell back solar power to the grid when there is no internal load. In Canada, grid-connected PV currently offers the lowest ROI of solar technologies, possibly 3 to 5% or less, with thin film and building integrated PV offering highest hopes for higher ROI (thin film works well in diffuse light conditions, and with high albedo from snow in the winter, conditions which are predominent in Canada).On the oher side, solar PV can be considered as an insurance policy againts grid power outages (and as a way to power critical loads at all times), and a protection agains electricity price increases.

[Question] Is there enough sun in Canada for solar energy?

[Answer] Areas where 90% of the population lives in Canada receive more solar radiation than Germany which is the world leading nation per capita in PV use. Regions with similar or lower sunlight and similar cold winters such as Austria and Switzerland are world leaders in use
of solar water heating for combi-systems (solar space heating plus domestic water). Regions where the purchasing power is very low (China) are also very big user of solar water heating. So yes, with 3 to 5 kWh/m2/day, Canada gets enough solar radiation for solar energy to be
technically possible.

[Question] Why is solar not more used in Canada?

[Answer] So far, energy has been very cheap in Canada, so people have not worried much about energy efficiency and renewable energy. With oil & gas high prices and continuing to rise, things are changing and more and more people, companies and governments are starting to look at alternatives. Also, as in the past nobody worried about global warming. Only recently did the majority of Canadians acknowledge that something has to be done, and a growing number are recognizing that clean energy such as solar energy and other renewables have an important role to play.

[Question] What financial assistance is available for solar in Canada

[Answer] See this page from the CanSIA web site. Also, various financial institutions have green loans for energy efficiency or renewable energy, especially Citizens Bank and TD Canada Trust. See http://www.gosolarontario.ca/en/financing_gs.asp for examples of solar loans.